OH GEE, THANKS – AT 6:04 A.M. ET:  President Obama has graciously consented to spend some vacation time on the Gulf Coast.  Aren't you excited?

President Barack Obama is finally doing what he’s been telling Americans to do all summer: He’s spending time with his family on the Gulf Coast.

His toe-dip of a visit is less a relaxing, presidential vacation than it is an all-inclusive business trip. In fewer than 27 hours in Panama City, Fla., Obama will meet with business owners about the lingering impact of the BP oil spill, deliver a speech at the U.S. Coast Guard office and star in a series of photo-ops intended to jolt to the region’s sagging tourism industry.

COMMENT:  Oh, we're just so grateful.  We're so delighted that dear leader has been able to squeeze in a visit to the Gulf Coast between Michelle's now-famous trip to Spain and the first family's upcoming 10-day vacation on Martha's Vineyard.  We hope Gulf residents will send thank-you notes and cakes to the White House.

Even The Politico, hardly a right-wing outfit, observes:

One night in Panama City before spending 10 days in Martha’s Vineyard hasn’t helped combat any building perception problem. The Gulf Coast trip seemed almost grudging.

It is grudging.  Obama put it on the schedule only after repeated complaints that he'd ignored the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of the oil spill.  We regret, of course, that the first family will be forced to do a few hours of slumming before visiting the truly beautiful people in the Vineyard.

Yuch.

August 14, 2010